In the past, dyeing shoes was a painful process that too often led to customer dissatisfaction. In many cases, technology has prevented an employee from fully meeting the customer's expectations for dyed merchandise by "exactly" matching the color of his or her garment. Rather, the reduced dyeing capabilities often produced color matches that were deemed to be "within an acceptable tolerance" of the garment. This created a conflict between the ability to ensure close color matches and the client's desire to color coordinate throughout her outfit. (David's Shoe Dye Manual, page 1) In the bridal industry, glue and surface contaminants are known to inhibit dye coverage. Unfortunately, detection of these defects typically occurs after the shoe has been dyed. At this point the goods are generally discarded and the process begins again, with the hope of obtaining better results. To increase customer satisfaction and minimize lost profit, David's Bridal has instituted a rigorous pre-inspection process that allows surface contaminants to be detected prior to dyeing. Because the fabric of our shoes contains a special chemical called an optical brightener, they shine when exposed to ultraviolet light. Where glue is present, the fabric will not shine as brightly as in surrounding areas. Therefore, new ultraviolet lamps allow the consultant to identify contaminants before applying the dye. Unfortunately, this ultraviolet device cannot detect surface oils and dirt. If shoes are tried on without socks and there is transfer of oil and sweat to a dyeable part of the shoe, those areas may become dyed a different color. Also, if a consultant has lotion or grease on their hands and attempts to dye themselves, the dye may not cover the shoes evenly. For best results, consultants should have clean, oil-free hands when handling dyeable shoes. (David's Shoe Dye Manual page 2) Oversaturation of the shoe during the dyeing process is common in the bridal industry. When too much dye is applied to the surface of the shoe, it will take much longer to dry and the final appearance may be uneven. Using a hairdryer to speed up drying times also causes problems with color uniformity; the final result may be darker or more opaque. Proper dye selection is important. Once the customer has chosen her dress and shoes, showing her color swatches will help determine color preference. Please note that some dress colors do not have matching dyes. For dresses that do not have a matching shoe dye match, suggest an engineered color and explain that the color you choose will not match the dress perfectly.